VCPD Updates Jan. 1 Incident

On the morning of Jan. 1, at approximately 2 a.m., officers of the Valley City Police Department responded to the area of Valley Avenue and Eighth Avenue, responding to a report of an alleged barricaded and armed suicidal subject. Upon arrival at the residence officers were unable to contact the individual, by phone or loudspeaker, later identified as a 45-year-old man. For the safety of the public and officers present, the James Valley Special Operations Team was asked for assistance. Upon their arrival repeated attempts were again made to contact the suspect inside the residence with no success.

At approximately 7:40 a.m., the suspect exited the residence and was taken into custody without incident. Subsequent investigation resulted in the recovery of a rifle and ammunition and with the suspect being charged with Terrorizing, a Class C felony; Felon in Possession of Firearm, a Class C Felony; and Preventing Arrest or Discharge of Other Duties, a Class A misdemeanor. This investigation is continuing.

During this incident residents in the immediate area were asked to evacuate their homes for their own safety and VCPD would like to thank them for their cooperation. Also responding to assist VCPD with this incident were members of the Valley City Fire Department, the Barnes County Sheriff’s Office, and Montana-Dakota Utilities.

Anyone with any further information on the incident is requested to contact the Valley City Police Department at (701) 845-3110.